Palace maid Shuoning

(Up)

Inside the office of the Imperial Household Department.

Bao Zhong leaned back in his chair, looking exhausted, and gently pressed his temples with his hand.

"Father-in-law, the hot water is ready. You may take a bath now."

The little deer bowed and approached to his side.

Bao Zhong responded softly, "Mm."

Seeing that he looked tired, Xiaoluzi poured another cup of hot tea and gently placed it on the table.

"Your Excellency has been working very hard lately, serving the Emperor and running around Yihua Palace every day to prepare for the palace banquet. It must have been very tiring for you. I feel sorry for you. You can take over the watch tonight and rest well."

Bao Zhong nodded slightly, slowly lowered his hand, and stood up to walk behind the screen.

Steam rose from the bathtub, and he took off his clothes and draped them over the screen.

He was strong and muscular, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, unlike the thinness of ordinary eunuchs. He stepped into the bathtub, the hot water reaching above his shoulders, and only then did he slowly exhale.

He closed his eyes and went through the events of the evening in his mind.

Xia He was granted the title of Talented Lady, but the Emperor did not summon her tonight. Consort Rong placed her in Changchun Palace, and the Emperor did not object.

That's where things get interesting.

Conferring Xiahe's favor was a gesture of respect to Consort Rong; refusing to summon her indicated dissatisfaction with Consort Mei's overstepping of her bounds.

Consort Mei used the Dragon Boat Festival banquet to try and get people in front of the Emperor, and the ones she tried to get were palace maids from Yihua Palace. This was too blatant, and the Emperor was unhappy, but he just didn't want to show it to his face.

Bao Zhong gently stroked the rim of the bucket with his fingertips, opened his eyes, looked at the hazy mist above his head, and silently tugged at the corner of his mouth.

The Emperor knows everything. He sees through all the intricacies of the harem better than anyone else, but he simply turns a blind eye to them.

Just then, the voice of the young eunuch came from the doorway:

"Eunuch Baozhong, someone from Changchun Palace sent word that no one has lived in that hall for a long time, and there is a thick layer of dust, and the furniture is old and worn out."

Chief Steward Feng requests your presence, saying that since Consort Xia comes from Consort Rong's palace, our Imperial Household Department cannot afford to neglect her.

If this were to reach the Emperor's ears, and he were to say that the Imperial Household Department was mistreating the newly appointed concubines, we could not bear such a sin.

Little Deer quickly opened the door, frowning:

"Isn't Changchun Palace cleaned every day? It's not as bad as they say. Besides, the new furniture won't be ready until tomorrow. Are we supposed to have the craftsmen make it on the spot this late at night?"

The young eunuch bowed and smiled, "What Eunuch Lu said makes sense, and this servant understands. But Chief Steward Feng instructed that if Eunuch Baozhong doesn't go, and the Emperor asks about it later, it will ultimately be the fault of our Imperial Household Department."

After saying that, without waiting for Little Deer to speak again, he turned around and ran away in a flash.

Little Deer spat angrily at the retreating figure: "What a piece of trash, just pure torture."

"Little Deer." Bao Zhong, already dressed, emerged from behind the screen, head bowed as he fastened his belt. His tone was indifferent. "Alright, enough talk. You go on your duty before the Emperor, I'll go check on things."

Xiao Luzi closed the door, turned around, picked up the steel fork cap from the table, and presented it to Bao Zhong with both hands. Unable to hold back any longer, she lowered her voice and said again:

"Father-in-law, please don't blame me for being nosy. Although that lady in Changchun Palace has been granted the title of Talented Lady, the Emperor didn't summon her tonight, which is clearly a sign of displeasure towards Consort Mei."

"Our Imperial Household Department is making such a big fuss to clean up this mess; if word gets out, it'll look like we're currying favor with a newly promoted concubine. Aren't we ashamed? Let Chief Steward Feng go by himself; why should we drag you into this mess?"

Bao Zhong didn't reply. After hanging a jade pendant on his waist, he took the steel fork hat from Xiao Luzi, put it on, walked to the bronze mirror, looked at himself, adjusted the brim, and then spoke softly:

"Little Deer, do you think that person at Changchun Palace is a clever person or a fool?"

(under)

When Bao Zhong stepped into Changchun Palace, the courtyard was pitch black, and not a single lantern was lit under the eaves. Only a slender crescent moon shone on the moss growing between the broken bricks on the ground.

A figure sat under the eaves outside the hall, a thin, small bundle, wiping away tears with his head down, his shoulders heaving as he sobbed.

Bao Zhong paused for a moment at the gate of the courtyard before stepping inside and stopping a few steps away from her.

"What's wrong with Lady Xia? It's late at night, and it's chilly outside. Why aren't you sitting inside?"

Upon hearing this, Xia He hurriedly raised her sleeve to wipe the tears from her face, looked up at Bao Zhong, her eyes still brimming with tears, and her voice trembling:

"This palace... is too dark. I... I don't dare to stay here alone... After all, two concubines have died here. I'm really scared."

Bao Zhong didn't reply. He glanced at the empty palace gates, the doors and windows were tightly closed, and not a single candle could see through.

He paused for a moment before looking at her again, his tone still cold:

"Consort Xia, it's really too late tonight. Tomorrow I'll have the Imperial Household Department send a maid to serve you, and also get some new furniture."

Hearing Bao Zhong repeatedly address her as "Xia Cai Ren," each word felt like a stab to her heart. She gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"Xia Cairen? Have you ever seen a newly appointed concubine who doesn't serve the emperor on her first night? Changchun Palace was deliberately arranged for me by Consort Rong. She wanted me to know that my fate would be the same as that of Consort Mi and Consort Liu before me."

Moreover, the Emperor not only didn't stop it, he even agreed. I've figured it out now; the Emperor doesn't like me at all, it was just a spur-of-the-moment decision."

After listening, Bao Zhong remained calm, turned around and walked towards the palace gate without hesitation, leaving behind only a cold remark:

"Since Lady Xia has chosen this path, she has no choice but to grit her teeth and continue on, no matter the outcome. As for what Lady Xia just told me, there's nothing I can do to help her."

As he spoke, he had already reached the courtyard gate, then suddenly stopped for a moment, without turning back, his voice as faint as a wisp of smoke drifting in the night breeze:

"Although Changchun Palace is dark, its walls are high and its gates are deep. Talented people are clever and have many ways to get things done, so what is there to fear?"

Xia He's heart tightened. She understood Bao Zhong's unspoken meaning, and she suddenly stood up, her voice trembling as she whispered:

"Do you think I allied myself with Consort Mei for wealth and status? It's because of you!"

Upon hearing this, Bao Zhong's leg, which had just stepped out of the threshold, instantly dangled in mid-air, and he froze in place.

Xia He watched his retreating figure, approaching him step by step, tears streaming down her face.

"I can only get closer to you by climbing up. I know that in this deep palace, you can fight and snatch anything by means of schemes, but the only thing... the only thing you can get is someone who is affectionate and righteous, which depends on luck."

She walked up behind him, stopped a step away, and spoke in a humble voice, filled with earnest pleading:

"Baozhong... could you possibly give me a little bit of what you've given Jiang Shuoning? Even just a tiny bit would be fine."

Now that I am a talented person, I can help you. Whether you use me as a pawn or a stepping stone, I am willing to do so.

As soon as she finished speaking, she reached out from behind and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, burying her face in his back, sobbing and shedding tears.

"Please... don't push me away anymore, okay?"

Bao Zhong's body suddenly stiffened, and he struggled violently. Xia He was pulled half a step back by this force, but she held him even tighter.

"Let go." His voice was cold and piercing.

Xia He refused to let go, pressing her forehead against his back, and said in a muffled voice:

"I won't let go. If I loosen my grip, you'll leave, and once you're gone, you'll never come to see me again..."

Bao Zhong cursed under his breath, then reached out to pry open her fingers that were clasped around her waist, showing no mercy.

One, two, they tore it outwards with all their might. Xia He gasped in pain, biting her lip tightly, still refusing to give in.

"Xia He!" He suddenly turned around, his face suppressing surging anger, his gaze cold and sharp.

"Are you holding us like this because you want us to die, or do you want to drag us down with you?"

Xia He's fingers were red and raw from his manipulation. She looked up at him, tears streaming down her face, her voice hoarse and trembling.

"You can hug Jiang Shuoning at Panting Lake, why can't I? There's no one else here either..."

"shut up!"

Bao Zhong interrupted her sharply, his gaze as cold as a knife, locking onto her intently:

How did you learn about the Panting Lake incident?

Xia He gazed at him through tear-filled eyes, then suddenly gave a sorrowful smile—a smile so broken and pale, more heartbreaking than tears:

"In the deep palace, there are never secrets that stay hidden forever. I saw with my own eyes the way you held her in your arms at Panting Lake."

Upon hearing this, Bao Zhong's expression turned completely cold, and his eyes were filled with conflicting emotions.

"Xia He, we will pretend we never heard anything you said tonight. You'd better forget it all."

Having said that, he turned away without hesitation, his anger gone, leaving only his usual aloofness and indifference.

"If you want to go crazy, no one will stop you, and our family won't interfere in the slightest. As for who our family is in love with, that's our business, and it has nothing to do with you."

As soon as he finished speaking, he stepped out of the courtyard, his back resolute, and he never looked back again.

The desolate courtyard was left only with the bleak evening wind.

Xia He slowly squatted down, clutching the fabric at her chest, tears streaming down her face, sobbing as she murmured to herself:

"I'm insane... I went completely insane the moment I fell in love with you..."

She buried her head and wept bitterly. Through her teary eyes, she suddenly caught sight of a jade pendant lying at her feet.

He reached out and picked it up. The jade was slightly cool to the touch and smooth to the touch. The two characters "Bao Zhong" were engraved on it.

Her fingers tightened suddenly, her fingertips rubbing the two words hard, as if trying to knead them into the lines of her palm.

It slipped off his waist during the struggle, and he didn't notice it; he just walked away like that.

Xia He pressed the jade pendant against her chest, both crying and laughing:

"Baozhong...you left the jade pendant with me. Isn't this...a way of saying you left something for me?"